File conversion device

Abstract

A constructed system includes multiple clients, a server like a print portal, and multiple printing stations connecting with the Internet. A client transmits an output requirement, which specifies a content of interest to be printed and a printing station selected as an output resource, to the print portal. The print portal, which works for mediation of printing, transmits the specified content of interest to the specified printing station. The print portal converts the content of interest into a PDF file by using information included in the output requirement as a password. The printing station specifies the password based on information included in the output requirement, decodes the PDF file, and actually performs a printing operation according to the decoded PDF file. Such encoding desirably enhances the security in the print mediation system via the Internet.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . In a network connecting with a client and multiple output devices, each outputting either one of an image and sound, a file conversion device that is interposed between said client and each of said multiple output devices and generates a transfer file, which is to be transferred to said output device, in response to an instruction sent from said client, said file conversion device comprising: 
 an input module that receives input of a master image and/or sound file according to the instruction sent from said client;    a file conversion module that converts the master image and/or sound file into the transfer file of a predetermined format, which does not depend upon said output device; and    a transmission module that transmits the transfer file onto the network,    wherein said file conversion module carries out encoding with intrinsic information mapped to at least part of the instruction sent from said client in the conversion process.    
     
     
         2 . A file conversion device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said output device prints an image, and the predetermined format is a general purpose page description language.  
     
     
         3 . A file conversion device in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein the predetermined format is a PDF format.  
     
     
         4 . A file conversion device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the intrinsic information is mapped to an output device specified by said client.  
     
     
         5 . A file conversion device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the intrinsic information is mapped to said client.  
     
     
         6 . A file conversion device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the intrinsic information is mapped to a user information specifying a user who gives the instruction from said client.  
     
     
         7 . A file conversion device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the intrinsic information is mapped to the master image and/or sound file.  
     
     
         8 . A file conversion device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said file conversion module carries out encoding to make the intrinsic information function as key data required for decoding the transfer file.  
     
     
         9 . In a network connecting with a client and multiple output devices, each outputting either one of an image and sound, a file conversion device that is interposed between said client and each of said multiple output devices and generates a transfer file, which is to be transferred to said output device, in response to an instruction sent from said client, said file conversion device comprising: 
 an input module that receives input of a master image and/or sound file according to the instruction sent from said client;    a file conversion module that converts the master image and/or sound file into the transfer file of a predetermined format, which does not depend upon said output device; and    a transmission module that transmits the transfer file onto the network,    wherein said file conversion module carries out encoding, which is kept from at least a user who gives the instruction, in the conversion process.    
     
     
         10 . A file conversion device in accordance with  claim 9 , wherein a decoding device that decodes the transfer file is further connected to the network, and 
 said file conversion module carries out encoding with intrinsic information commonly set by said decoding device and said file conversion module.    
     
     
         11 . A file conversion device in accordance with  claim 10 , wherein said file conversion module carries out encoding to make the intrinsic information function as key data required for decoding the transfer file.  
     
     
         12 . In a network connecting with a client, multiple output devices, each outputting either one of an image and sound, and a file conversion device that is interposed between said client and each of said multiple output devices and generates a transfer file, which is encoded and transferred to said output device, in response to an instruction sent from said client, a decoding device that decodes the transfer file prior to transmission to said output device, 
 wherein encoding is carried out with intrinsic information mapped to at least part of the instruction sent from said client,    said decoding device comprising: 
 an information input module that receives input of the intrinsic information; and  
 a decoding process module that carries out decoding with the input intrinsic information.  
   
     
     
         13 . In a network connecting with a client and multiple output devices, each outputting either one of an image and sound, a file conversion method that generates a transfer file, which is to be transferred to said output device, in response to an instruction sent from said client, said file conversion method comprising: 
 (a) receiving input of a master image and/or sound file according to the instruction sent from said client;    (b) converting the master image and/or sound file into the transfer file of a predetermined format, which does not depend upon said output device; and    (c) transmitting the transfer file onto the network,    wherein said step (b) carries out encoding with intrinsic information mapped to at least part of the instruction sent from said client in the conversion process.    
     
     
         14 . In a network connecting with a client and multiple output devices, each outputting either one of an image and sound, a file conversion method that generates a transfer file, which is to be transferred to said output device, in response to an instruction sent from said client, said file conversion method comprising: 
 (a) receiving input of a master image and/or sound file according to the instruction sent from said client;    (b) converting the master image and/or sound file into the transfer file of a predetermined format, which does not depend upon said output device; and    (c) transmitting the transfer file onto the network,    wherein said step (b) carries out encoding, which is kept from at least a user who gives the instruction, in the conversion process.    
     
     
         15 . In a network connecting with a client, multiple output devices, each outputting either one of an image and sound, and a file conversion device that is interposed between said client and each of said multiple output devices and generates a transfer file, which is encoded and transferred to said output device, in response to an instruction sent from said client, a decoding method that decodes the transfer file prior to transmission to said output device, 
 wherein encoding is carried out with intrinsic information mapped to at least part of the instruction sent from said client,    said decoding method comprising the steps of: 
 receiving input of the intrinsic information; and  
 carrying out decoding with the input intrinsic information.  
   
     
     
         16 . A computer readable recording medium in which a computer program is recorded, said computer program causing a computer to generate a transfer file, which is to be transferred to an output device, in response to an instruction sent from a client, in a network connecting with said computer, the client and multiple output devices, said computer program causing the computer to attain the functions of: 
 receiving input of a master image and/or sound file according to the instruction sent from said client; and    converting the master image and/or sound file into the transfer file of a predetermined format, which does not depend upon said output device and carrying out encoding with intrinsic information mapped to at least part of the instruction sent from said client in the conversion process.    
     
     
         17 . A computer readable recording medium in which a computer program is recorded, said computer program causing a computer to generate a transfer file, which is to be transferred to a output device, in response to an instruction sent from a client, in a network connecting with said computer, the client and multiple output devices, said computer program causing the computer to attain the functions of: 
 receiving input of a master image and/or sound file according to the instruction sent from said client; and    converting the master image and/or sound file into the transfer file of a predetermined format, which does not depend upon said output device and carrying out encoding, which is kept from at least a user who gives the instruction, in the conversion process.    
     
     
         18 . A computer readable recording medium in which a computer program is recorded, said computer program causing a computer to decode an encoded transfer file and transmit a decoded transfer file to an output device, in a network connecting with the computer, the client, and multiple output devices said computer program causing the computer to attain the functions of: 
 receiving input of intrinsic information, which is mapped to at least part of the instruction sent from said client and is utilized for encoding; and    carrying out decoding of said encoded transfer file with the input intrinsic information.